Electronic book

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to an electronic book comprising a structure capable of being spreaded into two sections, connected to each other by means of assembly element of the hinge type, which provides the controlled movement of said two sections upon said assembly element; to provide for the opening and closing of said electronic book; and also to provide for the passage of the several analogic and digital interconnection elements required to interconnect the components of the hardware model.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to electronic devices for processing anddisplaying information within the computation field more particularlyrelated to an electronic book.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Beyond any doubt, a book constitutes one or the most values tools for hekind along the entire history thereof.

Books, as we nowadays know them in their different types and appearancequalities (covers, back, sheets, etc.), is the result from a secularevolution that included the use of any imaginable type of materials,previous to the arrival of the paper age.

With the invention of mechanical press, in the fifteenth century, booksbecame an industry, which has amounted to great proportions due toseveral features of historical, economical and social nature; being oneof the most outstanding the intensive spreading of information in theworldwidth. This fact, together with the huge technological advance inthe communication field during the present century, has driven the bookindustry to the prominent level it has today.

The presence of books in human evolution for centuries has resulted inthat book has become completely and naturally embeded in our culture,thus forming what can be termed the book culture.

Book culture is linked to an array of habits and customs underlaying theparadigm associated to the intimate experience rising from reading abook which, in its essential meaning places a reader in front of theideas written by somebody else, which mean knowledge, feelings,information, etc.

On the other side, with computer as a central element, the technologyfocussed on the handling of information, constitutes nowadays a cultureof its own, accesible for both the layman and the specialist.

The intensive use of the resources of said informatics culture hasestablished the need of developing versatile and efficient options forstoring information, wherein the trend is to adopt the compact disc(better known as CD after the initials of its English name) as a mostsuitable means for this purpose, far beyond from the originalapplication thereof limited to the storing of music recordings.

So far, compact discs are increasingly becoming the most excellentstoring means, and there is already in the commerce a real boom with allkind of application offers In said format. Within said applications, thestoring of information normally contained in books already represents aprovisory future; there being already a broad repertory of options: CDencyclopedias, CD children's books, CD language courses, etc.

However, up today, books available in compact discs are directed to beaccessed only and exclusively by means of personal computers which,during said application, are far away from the book paradigm due toobvious design reasons, prevailing the computer paradigm which has itsown backgrounds in the combination of typewriter paradigm (keyboard) andtelevision paradigm (monitor). This means that although there is a broadrange of models and possibilities, computers maintain the concept of akeyboard and a monitor.

The couple constituted by a personal computer and a, book stored in acompact disc has been considered as impractical, incomplete andunsuitable, since a computer is not deemed as the ideal means to appealinto the reading of a book, the information of which resides inelectronic means.

As a consequence of the above, it has been searched a means that allowsfor the elimination of the above recited difficulties and the provisionof an electronic book wherein the peak technology in computers and theoriginal concept of book can be merged, through the application of anelectronic device that allows the joint use of facilities and toolsproper of the state of the art in computers and of the habits, costumesand ergonomies associated to the general use of a book, as printed onpaper.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

With the prior art drawbacks in mind, it is an object of this inventionto provide an electronic book that allows the interactive display orinformation, from electronic/optical storing means, in a functional,simple and practical way, keeping in effect the conventional concept ofwhat a book is.

It is another object of this invention to provide an electronic bookthat, further to carry out the conventional function of printed books,as a universal communication means, also takes advantage of the peaktechnology in the informatics art.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide an electronicbook that, due to its characteristics of design, is entirely versatileallowing thus the operation thereof at any time and in any place, thuscomplying with the characteristics of a conventional book.

It is another further object of this invention to provide an electronicbook that provides for the maintenance and obtaining of the informationstored in a library, through the use of electronic means with minimalspace requirements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The novel features considered as characteristic of this invention willbe particularly pointed out in the appended claims. However, theinvention proper, both regarding the organization and the operationmethod thereof, together with other further objects and advantagesthereof, will be better understood when the following description ofcertain embodiments, is read jointly with the drawings accompanyingHereto, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an electronic book in an unfoldedposition, in order to show the dual screen thereof, constructedaccording to the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a detailed perspective view, following the lines A-A′ of theelectronic book shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the electronic book of thisinvention in a closed position, constructed according to the principlesof the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a front perpective view of the electronic book of FIG. 1, inan spreaded position, constructed according to the second embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the electronic book of FIG. 3,constructed according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view from behind, showing an electronic bookconstructed according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram that points out the basic and complementarycomponents of the hardware model used in the electronic book of theinstant invention.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the different modules of the masterprogram used with the electronic book of the instant invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, and specially to FIG. 1thereof, an electronic book of this invention will be disclosed in aspreaded position; there being understood that said electronic book willbe described with the use of compact discs as the source of information.However, it is to be emphasized that said electronic book is rather ofgeneral application, and that any other information bank from any remotesource, could be employed, for instance, from a personal computer or agreater information ban, provided said information is formatted to beuseful with this type of electronic devices. Accordingly, the followingdescription of the various embodiments of the electronic book of thisinvention, described in connection with a compact disc, should not beconsidered as restrictions to this application, but simply asillustrations thereof, since said electronic book is of generalapplication and its description in connection with compact discs isgiven only for clarity sake.

The electronic book 100 of the present invention comprises a structure101 spreadable into two sections 102 and 103, preferably of rectangularshape, which are connected to each other by means of an assembly element104, which in this embodiment is a mechanism of the hinge type or thelike, for the controlled movement of said rectangular sections 102 and103 on said assembly element 104, in order to facilitate the opening andclosing of said electronic book 100, as well as the passage of theseveral analogical and digital interconnecting means required for theinterconnection of the internal components of said electronic book 100.

It is important to said that said assembly element 104 can be any othermechanism resulting in the union and controlled movement of saidrectangular sections 102 Ad 103, such as, for instance, among others,retractable mechanisms, jointed mechanisms, etc.; furthermore, theopening and closing of said rectangular sections 102 and 103 also can beeffected by automated means providing for the automatic opening andclosing of said rectangular sections 102 and 103, by simply pressing ofa switch.

Rectangular sections 102 and 103 include liquid crystal screens 105 and106, respectively, preferably of rectangular shape, for displaying theinformation accessed to said electronic book 100; with said liquidcrystal screens being optionally of a conventional type or else of the“touch screen” type. In the embodiment being described said screens arepreferably of the touch screen type.

Screens 105 and 106 include each, around the same, bevels 107 and 108,respectively, such that the screen-bevel assembly mimics the pages of aconventional book, with their corresponding margins.

Said rectangular section 103 in the embodiment being described includes,at the lower section thereof, and within an area comprising said bevel108, an inlet means 120 to control the screen cursor, preferably of thetype known as mouse, which is integrated to said bevel 108 of therectangular section 103 of said electronic book. It is important topoint out that said inlet means 120 can be positioned either on saidbevel 108 or on the bevel 107 of the rectangular section 102 of saidelectronic book, depending on the design requirements.

At the side end 109 of said rectangular section 102, opposite to theback 111 of said electronic book 100, a switch means 112 to enable anddisable said electronic means and a slot 113 for the introduction ofcompact discs are suitably distributed along the entire length thereof.

On the side end 110 or the rectangular section 103, and opposite theback 111 of said electronic book 100, a so-called general purpose PCMCIAslot 114, preferably of Type III, useful to add additional means to theelectronic book thus allowing the transfer of information therethrough;an inlet connection 115 for audio devices, preferably of a conventionaltype; a parallel port type means 116, for communication with peripheraldevices, such as printers, floppy disks and computers for inlet/outletof information; a fax-modem interface device 117, for sendinginformation by telephone to a remote device, such as a fax or a personalcomputer; an inlet connector 118 for an optional peripheral keyboard;and a connector 119 for an AC/DC converter, preferably of theconventional type, extend along the entire length of said end 110.

Devices employed in the transfer of information can be, among others,memory expanding devices, fax-modem devices for mobile phones, soundcard devices, etc.

FIG. 2 shows a detailed view of the manner in which an informationloaded compact disc 121 is introduced through said slot 113 of theelectronic book 100, for the processing and displaying of theinformation on screens 105 and 106 of said electronic book 100.

Regarding FIG. 3, an electronic book 100 of the instant invention isshown in a closed position, wherein, am it can be seen, the outersurfaces of the structure 101 of said electronic book resemble thecovers of a conventional book.

An a second embodiment of this invention, an electronic book 100 isshown in FIG. 4, wherein the position of the compact disc slot 113, thegeneral purpose PCMCIA slot 114 and the inlet connection 115 for audiodevices, have been all modified and are identified with numerals 113′,114′ and 115′, respectively. In this embodiment, slot 113′ is preferablypositioned on the upper side end of section 102; slot 114′ is preferablypositioned on the upper side end of section 103, and the inletconnection 115′ in preferably positioned on the lower section of saidside end 109.

In connection with FIG. 5, there is shown therein a third embodiment ofthe electronic book of this invention, including a slot 113″ preferablypositioned on the outer surface of section 102 of said electronic book100, in order a compact disc 121 be introduced therethrough,

As a fourth embodiment of this invention, FIG. 6 shows the electronicbook 100 of this invention wherein a compact disc slot 113′″, a generalpurpose PCMCIA slot 114′″, an inlet connection 115′″ for audio devices,a parallel port type device 116′″, the fax-modem interface device 117′″,the inlet connection 118′″ for an optional peripheral keyboard and aconnection 119′″ for an AC/DC converter, are all preferably situated onthe back 111 of said electronic book 100.

It is important to state that the outer surfaces of said electronic book100 can be manufactured with some type of texturized finish or surfacecoverage, In order to resemble more closely the common appearance of aconventional printed book; there being also possible to use sheath-typecovers which also serve as outer envelops for said book.

Parts constituting said structure 101 and bevels 107 and 10 of saidelectronic book 100 can be made preferably of molded plastic materials,such as, for instance, polystyrene and/or ABS resin; however, it is alsopossible that metallic materials and the alloys thereof are used, aswell as composite materials including combinations of alloys, plasticsand ceramics

Structure 101 must be manufactured having in mind the arrangement of theinternal parts of the electronic books, divided into both sections ofsaid device; in order to have the weight thereof distributed in the bestpossible manner, taking into account that the weight of one of saidsections 102 or 103 shall be greater than the other, due to thebatteries required by the electronic book during its operation.

Furthermore, said electronic book 100 can comprise special attachmentssuch as, among others: a book-rack (non shown in Figures) of optionaluse on an even surface; an AC/DC adaptor (non shown in Figures);removable anti-reflection screens 122; an optional peripheral reader fora second CD (non shown in Figures).

As it can be seen from the above disclosure, the electronic book of thisinvention is conceived as an innovating alternative to the functioncarried out by a conventional printed book; wherein it is intended thatthe spirit of said universal concept (book) is maintained regarding thebasic ratio of physical characteaisctics-use thereof; and therefore, inconnection with the basic atributes of design and the functionalpremises (size, weight, handeability, two-pages design, the manner toaccess the contents, its general appearance, etc.).

Starting from said premise, powerful resources are incorporated in theelectronic book of this invention, provided by electronics and computersciences, in order to give the electronic book an assembly ofcapabilities anal facilities making it an ideal book.

The considered attributes of an ideal book are primarily based on thepossibility of an interactive relationship with the user, and include,among other, the following characteristics: a) fast access to thecontents with multiple display options on screens; b) co-relation optionof the text contents to each other or to available glossaries, includingtwo or more languages; c) multiple and flexible addressing and searchingoptions; d) personalizing options for the exhibition of the contents; e)versatile options for the pagination modes including independence amongpages and management of windows; f) multiple options for selecting thecontents and the arrangement of selections; g) text storing, export andimport options; h) pointer options with maintenance of the status of thelast session; i) zoom option on graphics, maps and pictures; j) optionfor notes and remarks; multimedia option, including the possibility ofsimultaneous audio (voice, music, sound effects); l) interconnectioncapability to other information sources, thus giving access toinformation resident in electronic libraries in the world over viafax-modem either conventional or mobile; m) option of exhibition ofmotion images; n) simple and intuitive operation by means of icons,menus and digitalized keyboard on screen; nn) portability of theequipment due to the weigth, volume, etc., characteristics thereof, byenclosing in a compact and self-sustained device, all the tools andoptions for the user; o) compatibility with optional peripheralequipment (printers, personal computers, floppy discs readers, etc.); p)communication possibility to another electronic book, etc.

In order to satisfy the above mentioned aspects, the electronic book ofthis invention includes, among other, the following functions: a)displaying: synchronous pagination; asynchronous pagination, screensfrosting, use of windows, automatic pagination (quick revision of theentire document or a portion thereof, pagination at preset intervals,programmable pagination, etc); b) addressing (GOTO options): standard,page by page, by a pointer of the last session, chapter by chapter, bytheme or by key word; c) personal preferences: size of characters, linespacings, line indicator, selection exhibition, general preferences forthe information display (combination of colors, design of menus andicons, etc.); d) processes: text selection (options: display, save,export, print), searching text correlation, personal notes, zoom,multimedia; e) auxiliary functions: help, clear memory, reset, undo,printer configuretion, system messages; f) functions for creation andmanagement of riles: save, erase, print, communications, remote sourceand/or target.

In the embodiment being described, said electronic book also comprisesthe use of music CD's as an alternatives to the reproduction of thewritten information stored in compact disc, in addition to other furtherservices, ouch an electronic diary or calculator.

In another further embodiment, said electronic book can also incorporatethe operation of a second CD reader for the simultaneous reproduction ofa a first compact disc containing written information and anothercompact disc with music.

A block diagram is shown in FIG. 7 of the components of a hardware modelemployed with the electronic device of this invention; being saidcomponents within the most advanced state of the computational art, thusproviding a basical, consistent and complete solution to therequirements of the users of said electronic device.

The hardware model components support the basic operation as well as theauxiliary services of the electronic book and comprise a series of maincomponents plus a series of components to provide accesory services.Main components of the hardware model of this invention comprise amicroprocessor 200, a ROM type memory 201, storing a master program or aportion thereof; a CD interface 202, a compact disc reader 203, a RAMmerry 204, a hard disk 205, which either may or not contain thecomplementary portion of said master program; a bidirectional parallelport 206, an audio processor 207, at least a video processor 208,digitalizing means 209 (touch screens and integrated mouse) and a powersupply system 210; and said accesory components comprise a fax-modemslot 211, a general purpose PCMCIA slot 212, and a connector 213 for anoptional peripheral keyboard.

Said main components contribute to the comply by the electronic book ofall of the functions for which it has been designed, such astransferring information from the electronic book to a remote computeror a connection for the exchange of information with remotesources/targets.

Microprocessor 200 represents the brain of said electronic book; and thefunction thereof is to process all of the commands received from theuser and from other blocks of the system, as well as to generate andsend to the different parts of the equipment, the instructions necessaryto execute said commands.

The component considered for the embodiment being described, is an atleast 32-bits microprocessor with a minimum speed of 33 MHz, preferably133 MHz, to control the information traffic between the compact discreader 203, said RAM memory 204 and the parallel port 206, the fax-modeminterface 211 and the video processor 208.

ROM memory 201 function is to keep the master program of the system,which controls of all and every operations carried out by the electronicbook.

When the equipment is turned-on, said master program instructs themicroprocessor to execute the self-verification routine of the system.Then, it instructs the microprocessor to detect the presence of a discwithin said compact disc reader 203 and, when appropriate to charge theindicators of the disc status, should this latter had been previouslyopened.

Said master program receives and manages the instructions generated,instructing said microprocessor what to do in order to carry out thecorresponding operation; taking thus in charge the correct operation ofthe equipment.

Interface 202 is a physical and logical interconnection means betweensaid microprocessor and the origin and target of the information flow,subject to the signal, received on the instructions bus.

Thus, said interface 202 serves as a link between said hard disk or saidcompact disc reader and the information contained in the memory of saidequipment. Optionally, it can provide a link to an additional outboardcompact disc reader.

The function of said compact disc reader 203 is to show its status tothe microprocessor, thus informing whether there is a compact disc atsaid reader (and also whether there is an error therein), the compactdisc format, the name of the disc at said reader, etc.; and furthermore,to transmit the contents of said compact disc to be displayed on thescreens comprised in said video processor block 208.

The embodiment under description is based on a 5 ¼ inchs compact discreader with IDE technology.

When a disc is read, the information obtained will be transferred tosaid RAM memory 204, in such a form that the same can be displayed onthe screens of said video processor 208 and, as the case be, can betransferred outwardly via parallel port 206 or fax-modem interface 211

In the embodiment begs described, said RAM memory block 204 is comprisedof two parts: a main first part corresponding to the memory circuits ofthe electronic book, and an second part corresponding mainly to thesupport circuits of the addresses and maintenance decodifier.

The memory circuits of RAM memory block 204 allow for the storing of theinformation from either the compact disc or the remote source, thusminimizing the continuous access to the disc reader 203. Accessing theinformation from memory RAM 204 is a great deal faster than from compactdisc reader 203, since this latter employs mechanical parts, which arerather slower than electronic parts.

Upon transferring the information from either a compact disc or a remotesource into RAM memory 204, an advantage is provided of being able tosee, search, select, print, mark and, in general, interactivelymanipulate said information.

On the other side, the support electronic circuits provide for choisingthe memory location wherein said information is to be read or written,by means of an address decoder chip, as well as the maintenance of theinformation, contained in the RAM memory of said electronic book throughother support circuits.

The embodiment under description comprised mainly dinamic RAM Emorymodules, which can vary within a range of from 4 to 16 Mbytes of memory.

Said hard disk 205 is a magnetic means for storing information.

As such, its role is to store information or partially or entirelyrecover the file(s) constituting said displayed book, as well as theoperation itself of said. electronic book (pointers, notes, selections,etc.).

Additionally, said hard disc 205 could contain a portion of the masterprograma stored thereon, thus allowing that ROM memory 201 housing afirst portion of said master program, is not too huge, depending on thedefinite design of the internal components and on the functionalexpectations.

The embodiment being described herein is based an an IDE 120 Mbytes harddisk.

The bidirectional parallel port 206 is a port for inlet/outlet ofinformation.

Said parallel port 206 provides communication of the electronic book toperipheral means, such as printers, floppy disk units and computers,giving thus an opportunity to transfer the information into said meansand additionally to transfer the selected information to the printer,through the menus and icons digitally shown on the screen: of saidelectronic book.

The audio processor 207 is based on the operation or a digital/analogicconverter and a wave synthetizer, by transforming the digitalinformation contained in said compact disc or the remote source, into ananalogical signal that can be heard.

Said audio processor 207 provides the opportunity to have stereo audio,either through headphones or by means of outer loudspeakers, through anaudio outlet and a mini-jacket.

The video processor 208 manages the display of information, icons,menus, etc., on both screens of said electronic book, with all of thecapabilities and flexibilities as determined by the master program, suchas, for instance, page freezing, text selection, zoom, etc.

The embodiment being described is based on two video processors and 1Mbyte memory only for video. The screens provided in this embodimenthave a resolution of 640×480 pixels and can age up to 256 color tones;however, it is also possible to use greater resolution screens.

Digitalizing means 209 (touch screens and integrated mouse) show to saidmaster program the position of the pointer on the screens of saidelectronic books, in association with the menu options, with thedisplayed information, with said icons, with the digitalized keyboard,with the text selections, etc. This will enable the activation of theseveral processes and functions available.

In the embodiment under description these two digitalization tools areincluded, giving consideration to their undistinct use, thus giving agreater flexibility of use to said device. It is considered the regularuse through touch screens given their direct access and the use of mouseintegrated into said electronic book for those manipulations requiring agreater precision.

The power supply system 210 provides the supply voltages suitable forevery block, a battery package being employed preferably that provides aperiod of at least two hours of uninterrupted use, thus offering thefacility of transporting the equipment without the requirement of anelectric energy source.

Said block provides the detection by the user of the condition of theelectric charge of said battery. The embodiment being disclosed is basedon the power supply of a rechargable battery package of nickel hydrideNiMH.

Accesory blocks of the electronic book, as already mentioned, comprisethe fax-modem interface 211, the PCMCIA slot 212 and the optionalperipheral keyboard connector 213.

Said fax-modem interface 211 effects the sending, on a telephone line,of the electronic book information to a remote means, such as, forinstance, a fax machine, thus providing also the connection of saidelectronic book to a peripheral personal computer, situated at home orat the office or else the link to a possible bookstore or electroniclibrary, on the phone line or by means of a direct connection.

The type III PCMCIA slot 212 adds to the electronic book versatiledevices of type III PCMCIA card; said devices could be additionalmemory, fax-modem via mobile phone, sound-cards, etc., which offers theopportunity to transfer information through said means.

The optional peripheral keyboard connector 213 gives the user an optionto use a peripheral extended keyboard. With said option, additionalfacilities are provided in case that a more frequent or Intensive use orthe software tools related to writing are contemplated, such as notes orsmall memos. The described embodiments include a din-5 mini-jacket.

In another further embodiment, said electronic book can also comprise aninlet for a second compact disc reader, which makes possible to adapt asecond compact disc reader, which allows for the user the simultaneousaccess to the information from two compact discs for reading orconsulting them, or else, to display the written information in acompact disc, whilst a music selected by the user is listened from thesecond reader.

The hardware model shown in the block diagram of FIG. 7 is based on thefollowing functional logic:

The electronic book is provided with a 32-bits data bus through whichdata and commands flow, and additionally is provided with an address busserving to address the component to which or from which data travelingthrough said data bus are going to or coming from.

When is turned-on moment said master program (stored on ROM memory 201)sends through said data bus the commands needed for the microprocessor200 to execute the self-verification routine of the components.

Next, said microprocessor 200 instructs the compact disc reader 203 thatthe name of the compact disc housed therein in read, in order to verifyand compare the identification thereof with the pointer table kept atthe hard disc 205, that had been previously generated by the reading ofcompact discs at the reader 203, and is saved later on the RAM memory204.

Through the same data bus master program commands travel tomicroprocessor 200, which, in turn, sends commands to the differentcomponents, depending on the function being is executed by theelectronic book. During the entire session of the electronic bookoperation, said master program sends to said microprocessor 200 thenecessary commands for the suitable general operation thereof.

In case the operation being effected is to display the text informationavailable at a compact disc, to present it to the user, the informationtravels through the data bus towards RAM memory 204 and thence to videoprocessor 208, which displays the same on the corresponding screen,according to the instructions from the master program.

In another case, such as when information from the electronic book is tobe transferred to a peripheral device, the information that was alreadyread from a compact disc and, therefore, is already on RM memory 204,travels through the data bus towards the bidirectional parallel port206, in order to be sent to the selected equipment, which previously wasphysically connected to the parallel port 206 of the electronic book.Should a long-distance transfer is required, it can be used an accesoryfacility of fax-modem interface 211 operating based on the use oftelephone lines.

Furthermore, through the data bus also travel the information fromcontroller circuit for digitalizers 209, by means of which the user iscapable of state the option he/she desires, by pointing the icons oroptions in menu.

On the other side, the address bus carries lines of address generated bysaid microprocessor 200, to be used by an address decoder, which is anelectronic integrated circuit receiving the address signals andselecting the site of the memory wherein said information will be reador written.

Interface 202 controls the information traffic traveling from or towardsthe compact disc reader and the data bus, as well as the informationgoing to or coming from hard disc and data bus. A link is optionallyprovided to an additional outboard reader of compact discs.

Interface 202 circuits aside of being linking circuits, can alsoconstitute selecting circuits, which provide for the traffic control ofinformation from or towards said compact disc reader and data bus, aswell as also the information coming from or towards said hard disk anddata bus.

As can be seen, the electronic book of the instant invention is focussedto render services with versatile and improved possibilities, comparedthose that can be obtained presently from printed books; or compared tothe information contained in compact discs, that only can be readpresently by means of a personal computer.

In such a way, the applications that can be considered today with thedevice of this invention comprise different possibilities of use properof a conventional printed book, such as, among others: general reading,specialized information consult, study and learning, recreation, digitaldiary, calculator, etc.; together with the fact that it has numerousadvantages compared to a conventional printed book, among which therecan be cited: 1) ecological aspects, since it contributes to avoid thepaper waste, thus amounting to the preservation of forest resources; 2)globalization of information, when offers an alternative portable meansto access to the information banks in the world over and also to theeventual increase of the electronic libraries; 3) culture spreading whenit offers an alternative channel to diffusion of intellectualmanifestations; 4) use of learning systems when it offers an interactivetool as an alternative to the learning, including the self-taught; 5)foreign languages diffusion, when it results in a clearly valuable meansfor teaching languages and for the diffusion of texts simultaneouslypublished in more than one language; 6) use of the information storingtechnology, thus contributing to the management of the huge amounts ofinformation registered on optical means (compact discs), thus makingeasy the transportation and storing thereof within reduced spaces; and7) the economical aspect, since presently an intellectual work recordedon optical means is cheaper than one on a printed book, in view of theprices of raw materials and manufacture costs.

Regarding the need of managing the resources of said electronic book, aswell as of supporting the functions hereof, a software model has beendeveloped to a conceptual level, and was called a master program,contained on ROM memory 201 of the hardware model, as already mentioned.

Said master program has as the main purpose thereof, to provide a betterunderstanding of the routines and functions of said device, and also toprovide a complement to the design definition base proposed for thehardware model components, in addition of being also an element inherentto the design, operation and concept of said electronic book given thefact that the same is the smart component thereof. In FIG. 8 a blockdiagram is shown of all of the operations constituting part of themaster program.

Said master program, at its conceptual level, is comprised of sevenmodules covering all of the functions, resources and requirements of thesmart system of said electronic book; that is, a coordinator module 300,a display module 301, a special options module 302, a multimedia module303, an inlet/outlet (I/O) module 304, a function module 305 and aprocessing module 306.

Modules 301 through 306 of said seven modules, constitute the operationlogics of said master program and carry out specific functions relatedto each other by said coordinator module 300, which also coordinates theinteraction between the electronic book and the user.

Hereinbelow are described the specific functions of every module.

Coordinator module 300, as already mentioned, affords the data controland instructions flow between the different modules complementing thesystem; and also coordinates the actions effected by the system as awhole.

Display module 301 controls the data and instructions flow towards theinformation display screens, and also controls the differentcharacteristics of the information exhibition (synchronous,asynchronous, character size, line spacing, etc.).

The main function of the display module 301 is to receive informationfrom the different modules in connection with screens, and to send it tothe corresponding screen; and contrarily, to receive information fromthe screens by means of the digitalizing devices (touch screens ormouse) and send it to the corresponding modules

This module works basically under two schemes: a synchronous one and anasynchronous.

Synchronous mode provides the option of using the electronic book as aconventional printed book, paginating the information and showing itaccording to the traditional upwards or downwards sequence of successivepages,

Asynchronous mode facilitates the option of displaying the screens, oneirrespective the other (not in a successive mode) which allows thedifferent functions can be obtained on either screen, or else that theinformation on one of the screens is related to that on the other one; for instance, the glossary of terms of the information displayed, can becorrelated to a page in particular.

An addition function in the management of windows on either screen underboth the synchronous and the asynchronous modes, which provides theoption of displaying information sections related to the text or ofmessages from other modules or from the same system, such as, forinstance, error messages.

Special option module 302 orders tools facilitating the manipulation ofthe information displayed in a form that attains a greater benefitduring the use of the electronic book, such as to take notes on the textread, to activate the zoom function, and also the use of pointers forthe automatic localization of the page shown during the last displaysession

Multimedia module 303 coordinates the ingress and egress of sound, dataand/or images from a compact disc, in such a manner that the same can beshow in a simultaneous manner. The different types of information can beaccessed or not at the same time, and said images can be static ordynamic.

Multimedia module provides a higher degree of interactivity between theuser and the electronic book, when responds with images and sounds tothe consults and questions made by the user.

The inlet/outlet (I/O) module 304 provides communication between theelectronic book and the outer world through ports and drivers,

Module 304 allows the control of the various devices to send or receiveinformation, such as compact disc rader, screen managers (icons, menus,etc.), digitalizer devices drivers (mouse and touch screen) as well assome other type of digitalizer means.

Inlet/outlet (I/O) module 304 also controls a digitalized keyboard onscreen, activated by means of an icon shown on the liquid crystalscreens; said keyboard being operated by means of the digitalizerdevices of said electronic book.

The digitalized keyboard availability on the screen does not discard thepossibility to connect an outer keyboard by means of interfaces, whenthe user so requires.

Inlet/outlet module 304 also offers the tools needed to use thecommunication ports of said electronic book; which are used to accessthe information contained in other similar equipments, such as, forinstance, computers, electronic libraries, other electronic books, etc.;and also to establish a communication with a remote position, forinstance through a fax-modem, and to be interconnected to otherphysically different devices.

Function module 305 manages the functions directly related with the userof said electronic book, by setting the preferences of use and theactuation of the user.

Function module 305 comprises two submodules: a first submodule ofpersonal preferences, which is in charge of the establishment of theuser's preferences, such as the language to carry out the reading, thecharacter size, the line spacing, etc.; and a second submodule,so-called of auxiliary functions, to make the use of said electronicbook easer for the user.

With the purpose of offering said facilities, said second submodulecomprises an in-line help screen, capable of solving any doubt about theoperation of said electronic book; also offers a restart of saidelectronic book, in order to undo any previous change in theconfiguration thereof; enables a configuration option, wherein theseveral devices connected to said electronic book can be configured; andallows to integrally run the, information by using the swapping option.This latter option is used when, upon a modification of the charactersize, the size of the information being displayed exceeds the size ofthe electronic book screens.

Said processing module 306 processes all of the information, in such amanner that the user can easy and quickly manage the data and access theinformation as required; and also relates to one another the informationencountered at different parts of said electronic book,

The main functions thereof are to send, when so required, error messagesor those related with the status of the electronic book; to select atext to which a special treatment will be given afterwards, such as, forinstance, save it on the hard disk of the electronic book, print it orsend it via fax; to make easy the search of information; to allow thepositioning of the desired book section, through a simple command(equivalent to GOTO); and to provide for the correlation of theinformation located on different parts of the book, by using bothscreens; for instance, a same text can be correlated in two differentlanguages or a text can be correlated to the glossary of terms, etc.

According to the above description, it can be observed that theelectronic book of the present invention is devised as a novel, specificpurpose, electronic device that can be termed as a smart book, designedto become a device capable of interactive management of information fromelectronic/optical storing devices.

Said electronic book is devised as an innovating alternative, enrichedregarding the operation of printed books, an a universal communicationmeans.

The device herein proposed gives the user unique—superior andversatile—possibilities for the access to information, compared to theoptions that can be obtained both with normal printed books, and withthe existing electronic means during reading, study, recreation,investigation, etc., sessions. Furthermore, the advantages provided bythe use of sound and image—Multimedia—are to be added, as well as otherflexible accessories.

The electronic book of this invention becomes thus an innovating deviceemploying state-of-the-art technology, and the outer appearance of whichwill resemble that of a conventional book, and the operation of which isbased on the information reading generated on either a local or remotesource; and the processing and displaying thereof by means of a doublescreen system.

Although specific embodiments of the present invention have been shownand disclosed hereinabove, it is to be pointed out that a number ofmodifications to said embodiments are possible without departing fromthe real scope of the invention. Therefore, the present invention shouldnot be restricted except for the requirements of the prior art and bythe spirit of the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electronic book operating with local or remoteoptical/electronic sources, comprising: two rectangular liquid crystalscreen units of the touch screen type attached together by an assemblingelement provided therebetween to be freely spread out flat or folded upin half; interconnecting elements required to interconnect hardwarecomponents; a power supply system for operating the book; switch meansfor operating the book; a slot for admittance of electronic/opticalstoring means; inlet connections for interconnecting the electronic bookwith external devices; a PCMCIA slot to add to said electronic bookadditional devices; wherein said hardware components further comprise: aRAM memory to store a part or all of the information of a compact discbeing read, and also to store the information from a remote source, saidRAM memory comprising a first part corresponding to memory circuits ofsaid electronic book, and a second part corresponding to supportcircuits for the maintenance of the information contained in said RAMmemory; a hard disc to store information and/or partially or whollydownload the files conforming said displayed book as well as the properoperation of said electronic book, and to store a part of a masterprogram, which also is contained in a ROM type memory; an audioprocessor for transforming the digital information contained on saidcompact disc or the remote source, into an analogical signal ready to belistened, including said audio processor and audio outlet to providestereo audio through headphones or outer loudspeakers; at least a videoprocessor to manipulate the displaying of information, a digitalizedkeyboard, text selection, icons and/or menus, by means of said twoscreens of the electronic book, with all of the capabilities andflexibilities as determined by said master program; and digitalizingdevices to show to said master program the position of a pointer on thescreens of the electronic book, and to associate the position of saidpointer with the menu options, the displayed information, the icons, thedigitalized keyboard, the text selections, and also for enabling thedifferent processes and functions available.
 2. An electronic bookaccording to claim 1, wherein the microprocessor of the electronic bookis an at least 32-bits microprocessor with a minimum speed of 33 MHz. 3.An electronic book according to claim 1, wherein the compact disc readerof the electronic book is a 5¼ inches IDE technology reader.
 4. Anelectronic book according to claim 1, wherein said RAM memory comprisesdynamic RAM memory modules varying within a range of from 4 to 16 Mbytesof memory.
 5. An electronic book according to claim 1, wherein said harddisk is a 120 Mbytes IDE hard disk.
 6. An electronic book according toclaim 1, wherein said video processor comprises two video processorswith 1 Mbyte of memory and said screens have a resolution of 640×480pixels and are able to manage up to 256 colors.
 7. An electronic bookaccording to claim 1, wherein said power supply system of the electronicbook comprises a plurality of rechargable nickel hydride NiMH batteries.8. An electronic book according to claim 1, wherein said digitalizingdevices are touch screens or at least a mouse embodied to saidelectronic book.
 9. An electronic book according to claim 1, whereinsaid master program comprises book contents display options, whereinsaid display options perform synchronous and asynchronous pagination,screen impedance and organization of information functions through theuse of windows; said pagination functions being automatic paginationfeatures that include programmable pagination on preset intervals. 10.An electronic book according to claim 9, wherein said master programincludes a multimedia module which coordinates the flow of sound, dataand/or images from the local or remote optical electronic book sources,such that they can be simultaneously shown in order to provide a higherdegree of interactivity between the user and the electronic book, whenresponds with images and sounds to the consults and questions made bythe user.
 11. An electronic book according to claim 9, wherein saidmaster program includes an input/output module for the communicationbetween said electronic book and the outside world through points anddrivers, said input/output module allowing the control of the variousdevices to send or receive information by the electronic book; saidinput/output module further controlling the digitalized devices and thedigitalized keyboard of said electronic book by means of digitalizedicons, and also providing the tools needed to operate communicationports of said electronic book, which are used to access book contentscontained in, for instance, computers, electronic libraries, otherelectronic books, etc., also establishing communication with remotepositions and to be interconnected to other physically differentdevices.
 12. An electronic book according to claim 9, wherein saidmaster program includes a function module to manage the functionsdirectly, establishing the preferences of use and the actuation of theuser, said function module including personal preferences, such as thelanguage to carry out the reading, combination of colors, design, andthe like, and auxiliary functions designed to help the user to make theuse of said electronic book easier, including features such as in-linehelp, configuration options, swapping option, and the like.
 13. Anelectronic book according to claim 9, wherein said master programincludes a processing module which allows core capabilities and featurefacilities to the electronic book through a plurality of functions whichallows the process of the entire content of the displayed book from alocal or remote source; said processing module including options such astext selection under several criteria, searching tools, text correlationfor correlating a same tact in two different languages or forcorrelating a text to a glossary of terms; input of personal notesthrough the plurality of available digitalized input resources includedin said electronic book; zoom tooling on graphics, maps, and pictures;and, functions for creation and management of files.
 14. An electronicbook according to claim 9, wherein said electronic book includes go-tooptions to access book contents and featuring options to the edition offont size and both, enlargement and contraction of contents.